Accelerate July 2021 Magazine

WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG Family-owned Baker’s Quality Pizza Crusts, Inc. has been producing pizza crusts in Waukesha for the last 23 years, but the Miller family has been a member of the Milwaukee pizza industry since the 1960s. Currently celebrating its transition to the third generation of ownership, siblings Anne Cookson and Chris Miller firmly believe that the current success of the business would not have been possible without the leadership of their parents and grandparents. Grandparents Bill and Avis Miller moved to Milwaukee 50 years ago to open a Shakey’s Pizza franchise. That move resulted in seven restaurants and the development of a food service distributor. Parents, Tom and Pat Miller, then transitioned the operation into the wholesale pizza crust manufacturer that is thriving today. After spending the last 22 years in a facility in Pewaukee, Baker's Quality recently moved its entire production and warehouse to a site in Waukesha. The move allowed the company to expand its distribution reach and product offerings by bringing in new, state-of-the-art production equipment and increased freezer capacity. At the new facility, Baker's Quality produces four primary varieties of pizza crusts and dough, along with many custom formulations that are distributed throughout the United States. Its customer base has been made-up of bars, restaurants, sporting and entertainment venues, schools and hospitality venues. More generally, anyone looking to serve customers a better option than mass produced pizza crusts. The name, Baker’s Quality, is what really drives product development and puts such a high emphasis on making sure the product is as good as something customers would make in their own restaurant. Most recently, Anne and Chris made the leap into the direct-to-consumer channel. The newest product line, Crustology, was a result of the reduction in business due to COVID-19. With primary customers being restaurants and entertainment facilities that were shut down during the pandemic, Anne and Chris explored DEEP FAMILY ROOTS DRIVE NEW OPPORTUNITIES ANNE COOKSON Owner & Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Baker's Quality Pizza Crusts 6